Last night was my first 18 mile Time-Trial...OUCH!
Starting off with a warm up cycle to
Ashley, I chatted along with Joe for a brisk 3.5miles to get the legs working
after spending the whole day sat down in an office. It definitely requires a
higher level of motivation to get out and race after being so static all day.
But I keep telling myself, well if you want to race Rust, you have to get out
and race!
So two weeks ago I did a 21 mile TT, but
for some reason last night was definitely a bigger mental challenge. The 21
mile was one big loop so there was no turning back or just doing 1 lap. On last
nights' lap TT you can easily pull out after one lap. I didn't!
This time, Bob lent me his dashing
skin-suit.. apparently bare skin has more "drag" than a skin suit so
I thought, ok lets give it a go and quickly got changed in the back of a fellow
riders van! He also kindly lent me his "go-faster" aero helmet, this
one slightly less glamorous than the one I borrowed last week for the 5 mile
TT. With the visor stuck on with ducktape, I was ready to go.
Going off at No. 4 I knew I probably
wouldn't pass anyone, but was likely to get overtaken. That's fine by me as I
was once again the only woman racing and I know I'm not as fast as the guys
there tonight. I just wanted to challenge myself. On the start line, 30 seconds
to go. Start the Garmin. Clip the shoes in. Prepare the mind and the legs.
Ignore Jon's hands under my butt as he holds on to my seat but remembering him
saying I can do it in 50 minutes. 5. 4.
3. 2. 1. GOOOOO
Starting off with a slight incline (just
to buzz the thighs) then onto a long downhill... clocking (at a quick glance)
36mph ish. Holding on for life. Some cases I was a tad too nervous and stopped
pushing for fear of bouncing off my bike.
The course is hilly and winding. Challenging of them all. Over the
16 miles it clocks 769ft elevation gain with 5 climbs on each lap. The lovely
Moulton at a 5.6% average gradient at about 6 miles in was a bit of a pain,
only to do it all again on the second lap!
Somehow I managed to bag what they call a QOM (Queen of the
Mountain) on Strava – obviously on a downhill. With an average of 32.5mph over
half a mile.
The second lap seemed much better, stronger, I was pushing.
Confident in my downhills I was mentally preparing for the climbs. Something I
definitely need to work on.
The last 2.5 mile all that was in the back of my head.. see if you
can catch Kerry who was only doing 1 lap. Don’t let the guy behind catch you –
I saw him as I took a peek on the peak of Moulton Hill. And GET UNDER 50 MIN.
Approximately half a mile to go and I am at 47 minutes something…
(I think) I can’t quite remember. Push round the corner, up the hill and try to
get there as quick as I can. Head down, eyes up and just go for it.
Across the line, I can hear the time, I can hear people clap..Stop
the Garmin.. COOL DOWN!
Spinning the legs and trying to recover my breathing. When I get
back to the group a lot of the guys were very supportive of my effort. Only
when looking at the time sheet do I realise that I actually beat one of the
fast guys. He may have been having an off day, but I still pipped him to the
line by 7 seconds with a race time of 48.17 and split time of 24.01/24.16.
I am so pleased that Kerry got round in a respectable 27.45 for
her first ever TT and there are some pretty hairy corners and beastly hills.
What a rush.
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